Sunday dinner with my family – sharing recipes, stories & special moments
Last Sunday was officially our first family dinner for 2018. It was the first time we could all get together since Christmas day, so you can imagine how excited I was! Not only was I excited about having my family together, I was super excited because I would get to use the Christmas gift I…
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Today is Day 6 of my personal challenge to replace refined white sugar with healthier alternatives in the food I cook. It’s been an interesting challenge so far and in the process I’ve gone a bit mad on making healthy bars and little balls of yumminess. Well, the fact is that I can’t help myself…
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How about a quick and easy, but oh so very delicious Thai Beef Salad? The question of ‘what to cook for dinner‘ is one that many mothers agonise over every day. This is especially true for working mums – I know because I am one of them, but it doesn’t have to be so difficult.…
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It’s still early days, but I’m pleased to say my challenge to replace refined sugar with healthier options in the food I cook is going great so far! Well … the fact that I haven’t actually “cooked” any sweets yet may have something to do with that 😮 But, I have been doing some research and…
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My husband called me from work yesterday and said “Can we eat something light for dinner tonight? I’m feeling really uncomfortable and I’ve reached my limit, so you have to stop me from eating bread and sweets”. “That’s easy!” I replied, “Just don’t buy any of that stuff when you do the shopping!” Realistically, I…
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Have you used Amaranth grains to cook with? If so, how do you use it and what do you think about it?Recently, I came across a packet of Amaranth grains that my daughter-in-law gave me some time ago. It’s been sitting in my pantry for ages mainly because I wasn’t sure what to do with…
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Chicken Caesar Salad would have to be one of my all-time favourite salads. It has everything I need and want for a delicious hearty lunch or light healthy dinner when I’m not so hungry. Although it’s a little more work, I make my own croutons and dressing from scratch because it makes all the difference…
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Summer berries make the most delicious smoothies. I love the combination of raspberries, blueberries and blackberries any time of the day, but especially after a pilates workout when my body is screaming for something refreshing and nutritious and this Berry Nutty Smoothie does it for me! I know you’ll love this smoothie because, not only…
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If you read my last post, then you’ll know this is the Summer Fruit Salad that I promised to share with you. It’s topped with Greek yoghurt, a sprinkling of toasted muesli and a drizzle of honey. It’s so simple it’s almost embarrassing, but if you’re after something refreshing, delicious and very nutritious, then this is…
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Also known as Tomatoes & Capsicums Stuffed with Rice & Herbs Yemista is one of the most traditional of Greek dishes made all over Greece, but there are many variations depending on the region. This version is one of my favourites.To me, Yemista is summer on a plate! The vibrant colours of the vegetables drizzled with a little extra virgin…
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If there is one dish I really crave for during the bleak, cold days of winter, it would have to be warm comfort food like this flavoursome and fragrant Slow Cooked Aromatic Beef stew. This Slow Cooked Aromatic Beef recipe is so easy to make and one that will satisfy your hunger and nourish your…
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Well hello, Thanks for visiting! If you’re a mum who’s looking for a healthy snack to add to your child’s lunchbox, then you MUST try these delicious muffins. They have just enough feta to add a little saltiness and the pinenuts add a delicious nutty flavour, making them a great way to get kids to…
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If you are looking for a simple but very fresh and delicious salad, this is it! The star ingredient in this salad is fennel, a crunchy, slightly sweet vegetable that adds a refreshing taste to any dish. Fennel’s aromatic taste is often described as reminiscent of liquorice and anise. Fennel is an excellent source of vitamin…
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This morning I woke up to realise it’s only 4 weeks to Christmas, so today is the day I started preparing to cook all things Christmas for this special time of the year. I love Christmas and everything it represents: the decorations, the birth of Christ, giving more than receiving, forgiveness, family time, food, holidays,…
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What do you cook for dinner on a warm Spring night that doesn’t require slaving over a hot stove? PENNE WITH ASPARAGUS, PANCETTA & CHERRY TOMATOES – what else! If you’re like me and you want to provide a great tasting healthy dinner for your family, but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen…
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I decided to ‘joosh up’ my zucchini muffins by adding pancetta and dukka to make an adult version of the plainer zucchini & cheese ones I have previously shared that kids love. These muffins are a little spicy, so they’re perfect as finger food to serve with drinks or as a snack when you get…
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I just wanted to say “thank you so much” to everyone who has clicked that FOLLOW button on my blog so far. Like many bloggers, setting up Meatballs and Muffins started out as a fun thing to do, but I can now honestly say that I AM HOOKED and it’s mainly because of you! Knowing…
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I came up with this dish recently quite by accident and I loved it so much that I decided to share it with you as part of my series of asparagus dishes. But, there is a story behind this dish. It was last Friday when I had gone shopping to pick up a few things,…
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You don’t need to do very much to asparagus to make it any more delicious than it already is. Simply lightly grilling it on the BBQ or baking it, then drizzle over a really really good extra virgin olive oil and aged balsamic vinegar and sprinkle a little sea salt, brings out the unique earthy…
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Well, the good news is that you can you can stop worrying because, fussy eating is simply a stage that many toddlers go through, often in their second year. Having raised 3 children of my own and looking after my grandson (that’s him in the photo above), I can tell you from experience, that a…
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After what seems to have been one of the longest and coldest winters, it’s such a relief to see evidence of what looks like spring. Birds are once again singing, rose gardens are blooming and, best of all, my greengrocer has started stocking fresh spring vegetables -YES! Now don’t get me wrong, I love winter…
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Hi Reader With heart disease on the rise, I thought I’d share some good heart health information with you today. Did you know the Australian Heart Foundation recommends that people should eat fish and seafood 2-3 times per week to maintain good heart health? How often do you eat fish and do you have a…
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Not only are mussels delicious, they are inexpensive and sustainable and, most importantly, they are very good for you. The vitamins and minerals contained in mussels help to boost your immune system, your brain function and overall wellbeing. Farming methods for mussels have very little impact on surrounding ecosystems – which is great news for…
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Growing up, coleslaw was never a favourite of mine. I found the traditional way of making coleslaw using only cabbage and carrots was boring so, over the years, I’ve experimented by adding other ingredients including sweetcorn, capsicum, spring onion and apple, which lifts the flavour to a whole new level. No matter which way you…
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Storing and using fresh food correctly is important for your health and your wallet. Most fresh foods have a short shelf life and by not storing correctly you risk it being spoilt by bacteria and having to throw it out. Minced meat is one of those foods I’ve always worried about buying pre-minced and storing,…
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Although pumpkin is often referred to as a vegetable, technically, it is a fruit. Pumpkins belong to a family of plants known as the Curcurbita, which includes zucchini, squash and cucumber. Pumpkin is an incredibly healthy addition to anyone’s diet, rich in all kinds of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. Not only is Pumpkin good for…
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Emerging research suggests that chickpeas may play a beneficial role in weight management and glucose and insulin regulation, as well as have a positive impact on some markers of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Hummus, which is made primarily of chickpeas (which is a legume) and tahini, oil, lemon juice and garlic, is a great tasting dip…
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Hate it or love it, the fact is that cabbage is a vegetable everyone should eat to stay healthy! Cabbage is one of the few vegetables that I hated as a kid, but have learned to love as an adult. I’m not sure why I didn’t like it, but it may have something to do…
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Silverbeet (or chard) like many leafy green vegetables, is rich in an array of minerals and vitamins essential for good health for all ages. Silverbeet comes in a green and rainbow variety and has a slightly bitter flavour. It’s very a versatile vegetable and popular in Mediterranean cooking. It can be used in salads, pies, soups, risotto or casseroles.…
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Meatballs and Muffins 